The loss ends Alvin’s season at 14-7-4, while Hastings advances to face either Channelview or South Houston in the area round early this week. The Jackets were coming off a 1-0 regular season finale victory over Friendswood on March 23 to capture their first district championship since 2003.
“It (Hastings) was a team with speed we haven’t seen all year,” Alvin head coach Shawn Ruby said following the game. “We have been the quick fast team all season and been the team who had run and gun. We had at least even tables.
“I think the season prepared us for that, but they were able to come out on top in an even game.”
The Bears’ quickness provided the Jackets with more than a few fits during the first half with only a pair of spectacular diving saves by senior goalie JT McCoy keeping Hastings off the scoreboard. Just when it appeared the teams were headed for a scoreless contest at intermission, though, Alvin was whistled for a penalty in their own box with just 22 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Alexis Rodriguez drilled the PK attempt just past McCoy to give the Bears a 1-0 lead at the break.
“That was unfortunate for that to happen right before halftime,” Ruby said. “That PK changed the tempo of the game. It’s tough to shake. We talked about being down six times (during the regular season) at halftime and coming back to win, but this was a different speed and caliber type team. To give them a goal like that made it really tough.”
While Brian Arias attempted to even the issue early in the second half, the AHS senior forward’s shot sailed just over the top post. The Bears then made matters worse for Alvin by heading in a corner kick effort at the 51-minute mark to increase their advantage to 2-0.
Facing a two-goal deficit, the Jackets were unable to capitalize on a pair of indirect boots from 23 and 25 yards out, but finally pierced the net with 2:17 left, when senior midfielder Ethan Ermis converted a pass from senior forward Jesus Mendoza to cut the margin in half.
Alvin managed a final offensive push on the Hastings end in the closing seconds, but was turned away, as time ran out.
While the defeat closed a stellar season for the Jackets, Ruby feels the postseason experience gives his team plenty to shoot for in 2019.
What was really impressive tonight was that we had four sophomores out here with three of them getting majority time and two of them starting,” the Alvin coach said. “We also had juniors starting. We’re real top heavy and we have a lot of seniors, but we have something (for next year).”
In other area action, the Manvel Lady Mavericks opened the Class 5A bi-district girls’ soccer playoffs with a 2-0 victory over Waltrip on March 28 in Houston.
The Manvel girls, who scored a goal apiece in the first and second halves, respectively, now advance to face either Porter in the area round Tuesday at Delmar Stadium in Houston at 5 p.m.. Manvel entered the postseason as the fourth seed from 23-5A, while Waltrip was the 24-5A champion. Juni... Click here to read full article
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